This weekend the proud owner of the first <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-nissan-leaf-officially-launches-in-japan/" target="_blank">all-electric Nissan Leaf</a> in the US drove his black hatchback off the lot at North Bay Nissan in Petaluma. <a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_16837324" target="_blank"> Olivier Chalouhi</a> was the first person in the US to place his order for the little electric car, which is an upgrade from his regular commuter vehicle - an electric bicycle. Nissan also launched the LEAF in Arizona, Southern California, Oregon, Seattle, and Tennessee. A second batch of cars will arrive on December 20th -- just in time for the holidays. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/greenholidaygiftguide/" target="_blank">Christmas</a> has come early for some very happy new car owners.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Olivier Chalouhi, founder of Fanhattan, is the proud owner of the first US Nissan LEAF.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Chalouhi was the first person to put in his reservation for the LEAF back in April.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Here, the dealer explains to Chalouhi how the vehicle works and shows off the bells and whistles.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Chalouhi gave himself an early Christmas present. He is using the vehicle as his commuter car - an upgrade from his electric bicycle.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Nissan is releasing the LEAF in targeted markets around the US this next week. Upcoming launches include the Bay Area, Arizona, Southern California, Oregon, Seattle and Nissan's US base of Tennessee.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Nissan will release another batch of vehicles on December 20th just in time for Christmas.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Starting in early 2011, Nissan will release the LEAF in Texas and Hawaii.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Currently Nissan has reservations for the new car on hold, but expects to open up ordering to more customers sometime mid 2011.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

The car is garnering a lot of praise, and electric car fans are very excited for its US debut.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

The Nissan LEAF recently won the 2011 European Car of the Year.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Originally, the LEAF designed to test the waters for electric car demand in the US and around the globe and they have been pleasantly surprised by the support and interest.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

The delivery of these first Nissan LEAFs also marks a milestone for The EV Project, a research and charging infrastructure deployment project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

Test owners in San Diego and Arizona are participants in The EV Project, the largest EV infrastructure deployment project ever undertaken.

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Nissan Leaf US Launch

This weekend the proud owner of the first all-electric Nissan Leaf in the US drove his black hatchback off the lot at North Bay Nissan in Petaluma. Olivier Chalouhi was the first person in the US to place his order for the little electric car, which is an upgrade from his regular commuter vehicle - an electric bicycle. Nissan also launched the LEAF in Arizona, Southern California, Oregon, Seattle, and Tennessee. A second batch of cars will arrive on December 20th -- just in time for the holidays. Christmas has come early for some very happy new car owners.